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dino JAGTIANI
O N E O F S I N T M A A RT E N ’ S TO P C H E F S O P E N S U P. I N T E RV I E W BY A R U N J AG T I A N I
INSIDE
patinasxm.com
I N D I S U DA N C E T H E AT E R ISABELLE SOUCCAR STUART JOHNSON
MISCELLANY CONTENTS FEATURES
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C O V E R F E A T U R E | Dino Jagtiani One of Sint Maarten’s top chefs talks about his new restaurant, his cookbook and his plans for the future.
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MISCELLANY CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE...
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P R O P E R T Y F E A T U R E | Villa Amandara Environmentalist uses her sustainable building experience to package the best of St. Martin living into a luxurious, green, modern vacation home.
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MISCELLANY 4 10 64 66
Table of Contents From the Editor Island Events Last Word
WHO PERSONALITIES
12 Adding Color to Life
Lucinda “La’Rich” Audain.
14 Beaded Memories
Isabelle Souccar.
16 Politics, Pupils and a Passion for SXM
Stuart Johnson.
18 Eye of the Beholder
Gabriella Vitai.
HOW COMMUNITY
20 The Jewels of St. Martin
The Island Gems Charity Foundation.
22 INDISU Dance Theater
Susha Hien and Ihndhira Marlin.
WHEN HISTORY
26 Slavery in St. Martin
Abolition came about differently on St. Martin.
WHAT WINE & DINE
30 Briskets, Baskets and Best of SXM
Topper’s Bar and Restaurant.
32 Uncorked
Holland House sommelier Paul Melskens.
34 Capitale de la Gastronomie
Bon vivants love Grand Case.
SHOPPING
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36 A Taste of Sint Maarten
A R T S & C U L T U R E | Indisu Dance Theater
AUTOS
38 Facel, the GT Par Excellence
An interview with Susha Hien and Ihndhira Marlin of INDISU Dance Theater of St. Maarten.
Old Man Guavaberry liqueur.
The last French luxury car manufacturer
FEATURE COVER FEATURE 42 Dino Jagtiani
‘Temptation’ owner and executive chef.
WHERE PROPERTY
46 Green... Peace
Villa Amandara
52 A New Perspective On Real Estate
12 PERSONALITIES |
EXPLORER
58 Lucinda Audain
Lucinda Audain uses art to empower and entertain on Sint Maarten.
EXPLORER |
Real estate is still as good as gold.
54 In Transit
Curaçao
A Unique Gem in the Caribbean Jewel Box.
‘Tales of Bed Sheets and Departure Lounges’.
58 Bon Bini: Welcome to Curaçao
A unique gem in the Caribbean jewel box.
62 Island Hopping
Aquamania’s ‘Tango’ is not just a booze cruise.
ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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PATINA SXM MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Orrett Wynter ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ellen Fishbein CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Shannon Watson
CONTRIBUTORS Gillian Birch Arun Jagtiani Adrian Kobbé Montague Kobbé
PHOTOGRAPHY Elvis Harrigan Orrett H. Wynter COVER SHOOT Dino Jagtiani: Elvis Harrigan
pa·ti·na (n) a fine layer, thin coating or change of colour to the surface of many metals, wood, leather, and other materials that develops from age or use. Patinas protect, beautify and are generally highly desirable, and convey a sense of history, permanence and character.
PHOTO CREDITS Gabrielle Vitai, pg. 18: Orrett H. Wynter; Good Life Spa, pg. 19: courtesy of Good Life Spa | Victor Schoelcher statue, pg. 26: Claude Meisch; British capitulation to Guadeloupe, pg. 27: from Three centuries of Caribbean history: Martinique and Guadeloupe from 1635 to the present; Haiti massacre, pg. 28: artwork by Abel Hugo; Proclamation of the Abolition of Slavery in the French Colonies, pg. 29: artwork by François-Auguste Biard | Topper & Melanie Daboul, pg. 30: courtesy of Melanie Daboul; Topper's Restaurant, pg. 31: Orrett H. Wynter; Topper's Rhum, pg. 31: courtesy of Topper's | Facel Vega FV3B & FV1, pg. 39: Kevin Goudin; Facel Vega FV4 Typhoon Brake lights, pg. 40: Sergey Kohl; Facel II and Facel 6 interiors, pg. 40: Craig Howell | Villa Amandara, pg. 46-51: courtesy of Pierres Caraïbes/St. Martin Sotheby's International Realty | Luxury villa, pg. 52, and St. Maarten view, pg. 53: fotofactory | Man in airport, pg. 54-55: wang song; Man walking in airport, pg. 56: View Apart; Suitcase, pg. 57: xiao yu | Queen Emma Bridge, pg. 58-59: Gail Johnson; Curacao sign, pg. 60: Atosan; Sunken ship, pg. 60: Gerardo Borbolla; Fort Beekenburg, Grande Knip beach, Blue Bay Curaçao Golf and Beach Resort, and Christoffel National Park, pg. 61: Gail Johnson | Tango boat cruise, pg. 62: courtesy of Aqua Mania Adventures | Heineken Regatta, pg. 64: Nature Picture Library
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Contact P.O. Box 5050, The Valley Anguilla, BWI e-mail: info@patinasxm.com web: patinasxm.com phone: (264) 581 4550 / 584 8886 facebook: patinasxm instagram: patinasxm twitter: patinasxm youtube: patinasxm Advertising Inquiries sales@patinasxm.com patinasxm.com/advertise Subscriptions subscriptions@patinasxm.com patinasxm.com/subscribe Read Online patinasxm.com/digital Feedback patinasxm.com/contact
Acknowledgements We would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this issue possible, which include, but is certainly not limited to the following people: Lucinda Audain, Isabelle Souccar, Stuart Johnson, Gabriella Vitai, Alita Singh, Susha Hein, Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin, Montague Kobbé, Topper Daboul, Melanie Daboul, Paul Melskens, Karin Snoek, Hannie Seefat, Dino Jagtiani, Arun Jagtiani, Adrian Kobbé, Jensen Daggett, Harrison Reed, Gillian Birch, Michele Korteweg. Also, to every single person who has contributed, supported, or just had kind words to share, we’d just like to say a very heartfelt thanks. Patina SXM Magazine is published three times a year by DO Media Ltd., and is distributed at hotels, villas, restaurants and ports of entry in St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla. This publication has been compiled and reproduced with the utmost care to ensure that the information is up to date and accurate. However, the information may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. The publisher accepts no responsibility for such typographical or other errors. No part of Patina SXM Magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent. The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of Patina SXM Magazine.
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MISCELLANY FROM THE EDITOR
elcome to the inaugural issue of PATINA SXM Magazine. Our goal for this publication is for it to cover an under-served part of the culture, history, people and arts of the twin-nation island of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. We strongly believe that there’s a richness of culture and a vibrancy of the people that needs to be brought to the fore. Our goal is to not just create another beautiful publication, but to memorialize meaningful stories about the community and to explore topics as diverse as art, fashion, shopping, history, culture, real estate, yachting and nightlife with a heavy focus on the personalities that bring all of them to life. In this first issue, we’ve gone from end to end of this magnificent island to bring you a selection of stories of interesting
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people, places, things, ideas and times. On our cover is worldrenowned, homegrown chef Dino Jagtiani. Interviewed by his brother Arun, Dino opens up about his new book, as well as his new restaurant. We feature a number of other really interesting local personalities who, they have different backgrounds, and are doing different things, all have SXM at heart. We hope you enjoy this first edition, and that we’ll be able to help you develop, re-kindle or strengthen your love for the island. Keep reading PATINA SXM as we present Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin beautifully… and with character. Orrett H. Wynter Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
PHOTOGRAPHY Anse Marcel beach: Steve Heap
W
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WHO PERSONALITIES
Adding Color to Life L U C I N DA AU DA I N U S E S A R T T O E M P O W E R A N D E N T E R TA I N O N S I N T M A A R T E N | by Orrett H. Wynter 12
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PHOTOGRAPHY Lucinda Audain portraits: Elvis Harrigan; Funtopia events: Courtesy of Funtopia; Lucinda poetry: Courtesy of Lucinda Audain
I
f you’ve been to an event on St. Maarten that took the word “party” to a whole new level—complete with clowns, stilt walkers, and elaborate costumes—it probably was the work of artist and entrepreneur Lucinda Audain, creator of the entertainment company Funtopia. Personally and professionally, she is all about “adding color to life.” Lucinda a.k.a. “La’Rich” (a tribute to her maternal grandmother), displayed a love and talent for art from an early age. “I can remember, when I was six years old, saying that I was going to be an artist when I grew up,” she recalls. “I studied with Ruby Bute in Friar’s Bay, who was my mentor. She taught me the basics of oil and acrylic painting.” Although she would have liked to continue her art studies in college, La’Rich’s government scholarship led her to business administration. After graduating in 2008, she worked as a facility manager and then followed her passion as a creative designer for an art management company. At the same time, she found herself regularly hired to do face painting and other artistic entertainment. In those off-hours, Funtopia emerged. She has been a full-time Funtopian since 2014. La’Rich’s goal is to not only become the premier family entertainment provider in St. Maarten and beyond, but also to enable local youth to develop their talents. “It was quite accidental that I started to work with kids. They would see me in a community doing things and offer to help,” she explains. “Most of the young people I’m working with now have been with me for 3-4 years. They helped build the company.”
OPPOSITE PAGE Funtopia owner, Lucinda “La’Rich” Audain CLOCKWISE (FROM TOP LEFT) Lucinda’s selfconfessed quirkiness has been key to her company’s success; The ‘dancing statues’ are among the most popular entertainment at the company’s events; A few of Funtopia’s stilt walkers at a performance in Philipsburg; Poetry is another passion of the multitalented Lucinda.
Funtopia recruits kids ages 14-16 each year, adding fresh faces to the current team of 38 performers and artists. Looking at the training—and fun—that La’Rich provides, it’s easy to see why she sometimes has a wait list of 60 teenagers hoping to become a part of the team. From face painters to dancing statues and stilt walkers, Funtopia makes sure that each entertainer is well taught. “Earlier in the year, we started a program called Funtopia X-Fitness, where we had a physical trainer come three times a week. When I first used to book the stilt walkers, they would go up and do tricks and be tired within 30 minutes. We built up their conditioning, and now we get compliments on how they can walk in a parade for three hours and not get tired,” La’Rich beams. La’Rich takes particular pride in each of “her” kids and their personal growth as part of Funtopia. “Most of the kids I
“[the idea is] to bring people to St. Maarten... We want to create a concept that tells a truly Caribbean story. —LUCINDA “LA’RICH” AUDAIN
work with have similar personalities: they’re all quirky and creative. They’re not the ‘cool’ kids,” she laughs. “In some cases, their personalities are deep inside of them, and you have to do a lot of connecting one-on-one to pull it out, patiently. But it comes to the point where I can tell them what the client expects and they create whatever is necessary. They become very independent, responsible teenagers.” In 2016, La’Rich hopes to have a dedicated warehouse space for development of a circus program, bringing trainers in for 6-month periods with the goal of creating a Caribbean-themed Cirque du Soleil-style performance. “That’s the idea: to bring people to St. Maarten. I’ve studied behind the scenes at shows in Las Vegas—Ka, Michael Jackson. We want to create a concept that tells a truly Caribbean story.” SXM ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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Beaded Memories ISABELLE SOUCCAR TURNS TO JEWELLERY TO P R E S E R V E H E R A F R I C A N H I S T O R Y | by Orrett H. Wynter
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PHOTOGRAPHY Orrett H. Wynter
WHO PERSONALITIES
I
sabelle Souccar doesn’t just make jewellery - she gives birth to them. What’s now the Isabelle Souccar Handmade Jewellery Collection began in her childhood in Mali. “My mother had a lot of ideas for jewellery—big, spectacular pieces,” Isabelle recalls in her soft, soulful voice. “She would get local artisans to make them for herself and her friends.” Born to a French-Malian mother and a Lebanese father, Isabelle credits her cosmopolitan background for much of her inspiration. “I have been inspired by both lands,” she says. “I [grew up] in Africa, then Lebanon from the age of 13, and for my studies, we moved to France.” From there she travelled to Martinique and Guadeloupe, and ultimately to St. Maarten with her then-husband, opening a restaurant in Sandy Ground on the French side of the island. The couple ran “Jardin Creole” for 10 years until disaster hit in 1999 with Hurricane Lenny. She’s now able to laugh at their devastating loss. “[The restaurant] got hit by 12-metre high waves - it was apocalyptic,” she says. However, that dark cloud had a silver lining, for Isabelle took a job with Christofle - a luxury tableware, home accessories and jewellery manufacturer—managing the Marigot store for 10 years. Eventually Isabelle revisited Mali with her mother. A trip to the market opened the door for Isabelle’s dream. She met her first jewellery maker and commissioned him to make an ebony and silver ring from her design. This was her first venture into the handmade jewellery business, which she describes as “like giving birth”. Isabelle began to sell her jewellery in Christofle’s, displaying her pieces on crystal-bedecked tables beneath glittering chandeliers. She later started selling in outlets in Anguilla, Saba and online.
OPPOSITE Isabelle Souccar. LEFT One of her finished pieces. RIGHT A selection of some of the ancient beads Isabelle uses in her jewellery-making.
“Contemporary materials don’t talk to me... finding the memory of the past is [more] important.” —ISABELLE SOUCCAR
“Contemporary materials don’t talk to me; nothing is happening between them and myself.” Instead, she uses timeless natural materials: buffalo horn, antique beads and metals. “Bronze, ebony, silver; every material has something to say about its background, because we have a lot of history in Africa,” she says. Many of Isabelle’s unique designs include antique glass beads. “I have beads from the 12th century that were found in the desert in Africa. This is my passion,” she explains. Isabelle specializes in custom pieces, marrying her artistry to carefully sourced materials from her African contacts, topped off with a unique story. She explains, “Whenever I go to the market and find a bead, the Malian people tell me the story, so every piece of jewellery comes with its own history.” Indeed, Isabelle has an exceptional relationship with her materials. “I learn from them… sometimes I talk to them,” she laughs. Whatever her secret, Isabelle’s handmade jewellery has a growing demand, although it becomes harder to source genuine antique beads. She eschews modern bead-making, saying, “I don’t want to hear about anything that is manufactured by machine. I will put my energy into finding that memory of the past; it’s very important to me”. Her passion shines through as she talks about the career she knows is her destiny, but she still dreams big. “I would love to design objects to put in homes or hotels,” she says. “They are going to be like huge pieces. Something that will really have a presence, inspired by history”. Proud of her African heritage, Isabelle retains her strong connection to Mali. Like her mother before her, Isabelle sees her jewellery designs as “inspired by African women, the African creators, and the land of Africa, of course. I feel that this is my mission in a very humble way,” she says. SXM ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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Politics, Pupils, and a Passion for St. Maarten D E S P I T E A S C H E D U L E T H AT I N C L U D E S P O L I T I C S , OV E R S E E I N G A SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, STUART JOHNSON STILL F I N D S T I M E T O E N J O Y H I S I S L A N D H O M E . | by Orrett H. Wynter
“W
e make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Manager Stuart Johnson lives out Sir Winston Churchill’s famous motto, and much like the well-known leader, Johnson got an early start sharing his passion for both politics and education. The 31-year-old St. Maarten native has always worn many hats: previously president of the St. Maarten Carnival Foundation, he’s currently Explosion band manager, and chairman of the Post Office Supervisory Board. Driven to improve life for children on the island, Johnson
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became the first man to graduate from the Education Program at the University of St. Maarten, after which he began his teaching career within the public schools. “I felt that to truly give back to my island, it would be best to be in a public system,” he says. “I believe every child should reach his or her God-given potential, and there should be opportunities for them to reach that maximum.” Johnson’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed: in 2012, he was appointed School Manager by Education Minister Silveria Jacobs, the youngest person to ever be named to the position. Political activity is another hallmark of Johnson’s desire to
PHOTOGRAPHY Stuart Johnson portraits: Elvis Harrigan; Stuart Carnival and dining photos: Courtesy of Stuart Johnson
WHO PERSONALITIES:
HERE’S TO THE WEEKEND PATINA: What’s a typical weekend for you?
STUART JOHNSON: After a week of long 10-12 hour days, the first thing is to get some basic chores done around the house, then it’s going out with friends.
P: What are some of your favorite spots?
SJ: My favourite restaurant would have to be Dish Delish which has a multi-ethnic menu. Another favorite is Bamboo Bernie’s, for sushi. I also love where we are now, [Beirut] for Lebanese food. I love Indian cuisine, so I also love going to Bombay Bites. That’s a typical weekend for me, except for when I take a short hop to Anguilla or Saba, for example, for the weekend.
P: Do you do a lot of travel to the islands?
SJ: Yeah I have. Recently I went to Tortola, and took a day-trip to St. Thomas. It’s always cool to see different islands. CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Stuart embraces whatever leadership role he finds himself in, whether as School Manager and Post Office supervisory board chairman, Carnival Foundation chairman, or in his few free moments when he makes it a point to enjoy all the delights that St. Maarten has to offer.
“[St. Maarten] is a melting pot... we live in harmony, and the opportunities are endless. St. Maarten is a place that I want to continue helping to push forward.” —STUART JOHNSON
improve life for the island’s residents. He actively participated in the Democratic Party, contesting an election, and even serving as the party’s Vice President before resigning in March of 2014. In the future, he hopes to merge his political and educational goals as Minister of Education, addressing problems such as a general lack of resources and materials for teachers, the insufficient length of the school day, and the need for an academics-focused public high school. He’s not waiting to effect change, however. Recently, he partnered with a number of organizations, including the Rotary club and the Princess Juliana International Airport to fund a breakfast program at his school, providing a meal to start the day for the more than 25% of his school’s 210 students who otherwise would not eat prior to their daily lessons. Ultimately, in his personal and professional life, Stuart Johnson has a deep, abiding love for the island. “I’ve always had this drive to believe in my island from the beginning. Our diversity makes us a big melting pot; we don’t have the different clashes between ethnic groups that you see on TV. Here, we live in harmony all the time, and the opportunities are endless,” he beams. “I’ve seen many sides of the island, from the richest areas down to the lowest-income places, and it makes me appreciate what I have. That’s why I push hard in my work and try to share my knowledge and experience: St. Maarten is a place that I want to continue helping to push forward.” SXM
P: Where do you go after a rough week and you need to unwind? SJ: It would have to be Greenhouse in Philipsburg. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere, happy-hour kind of vibe. Just sit back and chat. It’s good to be able to relax and unwind. If not at a restaurant or bar, my go to would be to relax on the beach. I’d take no electronics with me, just leave them all in the car or at home and free my mind a bit. During the week, I try to get an hour of exercise on the causeway bridge and that helps to clear my mind a lot. I’ll put on some soca music and jog and run for an hour, or maybe 45 minutes. I try to do it at least three days out of week, to keep clear mental thoughts. Some days I leave for work at 7:30am, and school finishes at 3pm. I then have post office meetings maybe from 4pm until about 9:30pm, then I meet up with Explosion Band at the band housefor practice, from 9:30pm until about 11pm. Only then do I get home. That may happen twice a week, and I’ll use the other days to get a workout in—just kind of just run it out, stretch it out and get rid of the tension. I love the range of things that there are to do here. I like being able to go either to the movies, or any one of the many different events that going on. There’s always something happening in St. Maarten. ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHO PERSONALITIES
Eye of the Beholder F O R GA B R I E L L E V I TA I , M A K I N G W O M E N B E A U T I F U L I S A R T | by Orrett H. Wynter
T
he Hungarian cosmetics and beauty industry, as well as its spa culture, are world famous. Beauty and spa tourism is quite popular, and throughout the country thermal baths and spa hotels abound. “The beauty industry is very important to us,” explains Hungary-native Gabriella Vitai, owner of The Good Life Spa in The Royal Islander Club in Maho. “There are salons on every corner and it’s totally normal to go and get a facial every month.” It was during similar trips to the salon with her mother that piqued a young Gabriella’s interest. “First, I did nursing, which was a good starting point,” she explains. “Then afterward, I studied to be a beautician.” She was talented enough that after a year one of her teachers, who owned salons, gave Gabriella the opportunity to run one of them. A bit of wanderlust crept in and, while on vacation in Sint Maarten, she fell in love and, three years later, decided to move to the island full-time to be with her boyfriend. A one year gig with a day spa in Phillipsburg brought her up to speed with the local industry before she and her boyfriend decided to buy The Good Life Spa (then located in the Sonesta Maho Resort) 9 years ago. True to her roots, Gabriella has incorporated water as a fundamental part of spa’s offering. Inside, soothing lighting illuminates serpentine stone walkways past quiet, fragrant treatment rooms to the largest Feng-Shui inspired Oasis Hydrotherapy Lounge.
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PERMANENT MAKEUP—IS IT FOR ME? OFTEN REFERRED TO
as micropigmentation,
or cosmetic tattooing, permanent make-up has become an increasingly popular beauty treatment. Eyeliners are the most popular, followed by eyebrows and lip color. While often used to simulate topical cosmetics, the procedures are also ideal for medical restoOPPOSITE PAGE Gabriella Vitai. ABOVE The interior of the Good Life Spa including the popular Oasis Hydrotherapy Lounge.
“It’s a good feeling to make women feel more beautiful.” —GABRIELLA VITAI
As a full-service spa, the menu has standard fare—massages, scrubs, mani-pedis and facials (Gabriella’s confessed favorite treatment)—but the Spa’s trump card is its permanent makeup offering. Essentially cosmetic tattooing, permanent make-up involves applying dyes to the skin to simulate makeup in areas such as the eyes— typically for eyebrows and eyeliner—as well as the lips. Gabriella, who learned the technique in Hungary, points out that it’s different from standard tattooing. “The machine and inks are different. It also fades after a few years depending on things like skin tone, so our clients would come back for a refresh,” she says. In fact, much of her return clientele are yearly visitors to the island. “They get their facials and massages whenever they’re on vacation,” she says. “It’s part of their routine now.” Going forward, Gabriella wants to add more focus on anti-ageing treatments, but facials will always be her true love. “It’s such a great treatment,” she says. “It’s a good feeling to make women feel more beautiful. The way your hands move on their face is an art…and it’s beautiful.” SXM
ration such burn and scar camouflage. Unlike
traditional
tattoos,
permanent
make-up use pigmented granules rather than ink. This pigment is more delicate and designed to work with the skins undertones. They are also not a one-time procedure and will fade over time due to environmental factors like sun exposure, and will need to be touched up after a period of a few years. Prior to cosmetic tattooing procedures, topical anesthetics are applied, with levels of discomfort varying between patients. Swelling and tenderness in the aftermath is to be expected, and colors applied tend to be darker immediately following the procedure, but will soften as the area heals and the upper layers slough off. When considering permanent make-up be sure to use a skilled technician. Set up a consultation to discuss the procedure, as well as their experience. Decide shape, proper placement and color prior to having a procedure. Poorly executed procedures can be dangerous and difficult to correct but, when done properly, permanent make-up can be a great way to enhance your features. ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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HOW COMMUNITY
The Jewels of St. Martin
ack in 1978, there was a very nice hotel in St. Maarten called Mullet Bay. Most of its managers came from overseas, and because of permit restrictions, their wives were not allowed to work,” says president Alita Singh of Island Gems, the oldest charitable organization serving both the Dutch and French sides. “So, all of those ladies got together and decided to do something for the island.” Not satisfied to be “ladies who lunch”, the women created a charity, funded primarily through one large annual gala, to raise money for various charitable organizations. Over the years, Island Gems became an invitationonly group for professional women who are involved in the community and take a personal interest in improving life for island residents. Ms. Singh’s own involvement began with her move from Guyana to St. Maarten in 2009. “I was looking for a different experience,” she explains. “A St. Maarten paper was looking for a journalist, and I thought, ‘Wow, I think this might be the job for me!’” That newspaper was Today, where Singh worked for two years until changing to her current position at the Herald. After attending the Gems’ galas for many years, Singh was invited to become one of its 17 members five years ago and is now in her second year as president. Over more than three decades, Island Gems has raised more than half a million dollars in support
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of nonprofit organizations and institutions on the Dutch and French sides of the island, such as the St. Maarten Home for the Aged, the Sint Maarten AIDS Committee, and the White and Yellow Cross Foundation’s mural painting project at the St. Maarten Medical Center’s pediatric ward. One of the group’s favorite projects was a specialized playground for disabled children, in partnership with Agence Regional de la Sante (ARS). According to Gems Vice President Karine Fleming, “The playground will be used for recreation, and more importantly, for the children who have mobility difficulties to exercise and gain self-confidence.” The members of Island Gems choose projects like these, which have the potential for long-lasting benefits to island residents, over one-off donations of cash or supplies. They also try to personalize their impact. For example, Genevieve de Weever School received beautiful benches, hand-crafted and painted by tradesmen on the French side. “We named all of the benches after local trees,” Singh describes, “and when I went to do the presentations, we asked the kids, ‘What’s the bench in front of your class called?’ They
ABOVE The Island Gems team with the Foresee Foundation’s DigiKidz Project aimed at computerizing classrooms on the island.
“When we get together, we put all of these women with busy schedules in a room, and we give money to an organization. That’s our goal. That’s our good karma.” —ALITA SINGH
PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of Alita Singh and Island Gems Charity Foundation
“B
I S L A N D G E M S C H A R I T Y F O U N D AT I O N ’ S P R E S I D E N T A L I TA S I N G H L O O K B A C K AT N E A R LY 4 0 Y E A R S O F S E R V I C E W H I L E L O O K I N G A H E A D T O T H E F U T U R E | by Orrett H. Wynter
www.ireteam.com www.ireteam.com www.ireteam.com www.ireteam.com As seen on HGTV “House Hunters As seen Hunters Internaaonal” and“House “Caribbean Life” As seen on on HGTV HGTV “House Hunters As seen on HGTV “House Hunters Internaaonal” and “Caribbean Life” Internaaonal” and “Caribbean Life” Largest Sales Team on the island Internaaonal” and “Caribbean Life” Largest Sales Team on the island Largest Team on the island As Seen Sales on NBC “Open House” Largest Sales Team on the island As NBC House” As Seen Seen on on NBC “Open “Open House” Website updated everyday As Seen on NBC “Open House” Website Website updated updated everyday everyday Website updated everyday
LEFT Albert Arrindell painting murals at the pediatric ward of the St. Maarten Medical Center for a White and Yellow Cross Foundation project sponsored by Island Gems. RIGHT Gems members at their annual, costumed Gala in 2014, themed “Gems of the Orient”.
eagerly responded, ‘My bench is tiger lily!’” Singh smiles. “We did so many things with that one project: we gave them a place to sit, new vocabulary words, and a sense of ownership. That is the spinoff of making sure our projects are sustainable, rather than giving something today and then walking away.” While Island Gems gratefully accepts cash donations throughout the year, its primary fundraising comes through its annual Gala event, traditionally held at Captain Oliver’s restaurant in Oyster Bay. Tickets are available at $125 per person, which includes admission to the themed event—past years’ themes have included Caribbean Creole and A Night in the Orient—a buffet dinner with drinks and cocktails, and live entertainment. Most attendees also bid in the silent auction, which typically have items such as electronics, Carnival passes and, quite popularly, a private dinner prepared by St. Maarten’s top chef, Dino Jagtiani up for grabs. The next Gala, which will be on Saturday, April 2, 2016, will have an African theme. Tickets are available from any member of Island Gems. The organization is always looking forward, not only to the next Gala but especially to future projects. This year, Island Gems plans to continue supporting the Foresee Foundation’s efforts to outfit schools with computers and tablets through their DigiKidz program at Asha Stevens School in Cay Hill and other locations. “We are hoping to continue the same momentum that we have,” Singh says. “We live very well in the community. When we get together, we put all of these women with busy schedules in a room, and every single meeting, we give money to an organization. That’s our goal. That’s our good karma.” SXM
ISLAND GEMS CHARITY FOUNDATION President Alita Singh
Board Member Olga Gumbs
Vice President Anne Karine Fleming Secretary Salvia Jolles
For more information, contact the
Treasurer Kerisha James
Island
Assistant Treasurer/Board Member
as well as to get tickets their gala
Milva Hoeve
event, visit their Facebook page:
Board Member Jody Rosen
IslandGemsCharity.
Gems
Charity
Foundation,
You say SELL... You say SELL... You You say say SELL... SELL...
...We say SOLD ...We say SOLD ...We ...We say say SOLD SOLD
Offices located at Simpson Bay and Offices located Blue Mall Offices located at at Simpson Simpson Bay Bay and and Offices located at Simpson Bay and Blue Caribbeanlife21@gmail.com Blue Mall Mall Blue Mall Caribbeanlife21@gmail.com Caribbeanlife21@gmail.com +1 721 544-4240 Caribbeanlife21@gmail.com +1 721 544-4240 +1 +1 721 721 586-2626 544-4240 +1 721 544-4240 +1 721 586-2626 +1 721 586-2626 +1 721 586-2626
www.ireteam.com www.ireteam.com www.ireteam.com www.ireteam.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Orrett H. Wynter
HOW ARTS & CULTURE
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Happy Feet
S
AN INTERVIEW WITH SUSHA HIEN AND IHNDHIRA MARLIN OF I N D I S U D A N C E T H E A T E R O F S T. M A A R T E N | by Orrett H. Wynter
usha Hien sits on a chair—dancers are no strangers to sore hips and complaining muscles—calling instructions out to her young charges as they run and fly as high as six-year-old legs can take them across the parquet floors of the studio. Earlier, as the students filed in, they enthusiastically gave their beloved teachers a hug and a kiss in greeting. “This happens every day, even after being scolded,” laughs Susha. Exuberance permeates the air, even in the hallways where older children hug and laugh with each other as they talk about their day at school while waiting for lessons to start. This is dance theater, INDISU-style. Susha seems happiest when around her excited, bouncing little
How did INDISU come to be? SUSHA HIEN: When the director of Motiance passed away, I called Ihndhira—she was in her last year of studying dance at college—and told her that I was ready to go back to Rhode Island. I was heartbroken to leave the island and the children I loved. I had a whole legacy there: 21 years of teaching—kids were bringing me their own children, even. [Ihndhira] said, “No, you’re not going anywhere! You’re staying there, because I’m coming back. I’m going to open a school with you!” We named the school INDISU because her name’s Ihndhira, and my name’s Susha, so we combined it into INDISU to make it personal. So, I opened the school without her, because I wanted to make sure she graduated first. IHNDHIRA MARLIN: She taught all day. She held down the fort!
Did you start right here, in the beginning? SH: Yeah. So, for six months, I was alone with
all the teachers that I had taught and brought up. They came and taught with me and the kids all came. That was the beauty of it all. We opened
girls. “You guys were great today! Good job!” She says with a strong New England drawl, encouraging her littlest pupils on their way out and preparing for the arrival of the older students’ and their more rigorous lesson. Originally from Rhode Island in the U.S., Hien got her start in dance somewhat later in life, when at age 23 she decided to study dance intensively while working as a special education teacher. As it does for many, her dance career led her to New York, where she performed in Fosse-style cabaret shows. In 1988, Susha married and moved to St. Maarten, where she began teaching at Motiance Dance School. During her 21 years as a teacher there, one particular student caught her eye: Ihndhira Marlin, who would come to be her co-director at INDISU Dance Theater...
the school, had a workshop, and they all just showed up. Since then, we’ve been growing and growing. The kids, because of Ihndhira’s talent in ballet and modern, become technically brilliant. And, with my jazz experience of all these years, they have a very good background. They are all very well rounded in technique and style: at our shows, you’ll see great legs, you’ll see turns, you’ll see jumps, you’ll see everything. That’s why we built this beautiful school that we love. We have students that have gone off to New York to study, like, Audie [Janse] who even went to Paris and comes back here, teaches here.
At what age do your students begin at INDISU? IM: We take them at three. We make
exceptions for some almost three-year-olds, if they have high concentration. If they focus enough to take the base, then they are more than welcome.
OPPOSITE PAGE INDISU Dance Theater directors Susha Hien (left), and Ihndhira Marlin (right) at their Simpson Bay studio.
“[INDISU is] happiness, growing, and becoming proud of yourself... learning how beautiful you can be and what you can achieve.” —SUSHA HIEN
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HOW ARTS & CULTURE SH: We start with age 3-5 with two or three classes for them. And then when they’re five, they get to come to me for Introduction to Dance, where I give them a little bit of jazz. We call it the “big girl class”, and they all die to come because I make it peppy and jazzy and they just love it. The real dance starts from ages 5-7. I look at that class and see who’s going to be good, who’s going to really enjoy dance, and we make a Baby Company. From there, students go on to the 9-12-year-old Junior Company, from which we take out the very best to make our Junior Elite Company. These dancers are magnificent, almost ready to go on the stage over by Topper’s in our Thursday night cabaret show. Our biggest group is the Company, which is 13-18. Then, after that, they go away to school.
How many students do you have? IM: About 240, 250. A lot of young girls, even if they haven’t danced much before, come here. SH: I’ve been teaching for 26 years, and every year, I’ve taught 200-300 students. I’ve taught thousands—and I know because I walk down the street and see this older girl that I don’t remember and she says, “Susha, how are you?” They look different, of course, but I usually remember them once they start talking.
What is dance theater about? SH: It’s about happiness, dancing, enjoyment,
growing, and becoming proud of yourself. Selfesteem, learning how to get along with each other, that type of thing. Also, learning about how beautiful one can be and what they can achieve in life. IM: She demands a lot from her students, not only in the classroom but outside. We try to groom respectable young people. She wants them to be high achievers, not only in our studios—we want them to get places in life. We want the best for all of our kids. There’s a lot of discipline in dance class that can teach you a lot and help you in other places.
What’s next for INDISU? SH: We’re going along great. We’re adding gymnastics
and cheerleading back into the schedule. And, next year, I’m going to do a children’s musical, as well as an adult musical. How many musicals have I done? IM: I stopped counting! More than 20 by now. Mulan, Hercules, Lion King, Pocahontas… SH: Then I decided, let me go for the adult ones and I started with things like Chorus Line, Chicago, Hairspray, Grease. We love to perform at the Maho Casino Royale Theater and the Phillipsburg Culture Center. I like to give the kids a chance to dance on a real stage with wings, dressing rooms. 24
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Ihndhira and Susha take a break with Candy, Susha’s dog, in front of a wall covered with posters from their past musicals.
“I’ve been trained by a lot of teachers... but I don’t think there’s anyone who loves dance as much as Susha.” —IHNDHIRA MARLIN
What makes INDISU different from other studios? IM: Directors of dance schools usually don’t teach that much. We direct the school together. SH: I want the kids to get the full benefit of what I know before I can’t dance anymore. IM: She’s built up so much. You get better with the years—though I’m good, I’ll say it myself: you can’t beat almost 30 years’ experience. I learned, and that’s why I’m so grateful to train under her still, because I don’t have to figure it all out on my own. I’ve met and been trained by a lot of teachers. I went to a really good school, I had access to some of the top names in dance in Europe, but I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who loves dance as much as Susha does. SXM
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WHEN HISTORY
Slavery, and the Struggle for Freedom in St. Martin T H E I S L A N D B E I N G S H A R E D B Y R I V A L W O R L D P O W E R S M E A N T T H AT A B O L I T I O N C A M E A B O U T V E R Y D I F F E R E N T LY. | by Montague Kobbé
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OPPOSITE PAGE Statue of Victor Schœlcher in Cayenne, French Guiana by French sculptor LouisErnest Barrias depecting the French abolitionist showing a slave the way to freedom, following the abolition of slavery in 1848 in France. THIS IMAGE French forces, under the command of Victor Hugues, routing the British on the island of Guadeloupe, leading to the first declaration of abolition in 1794.
I
t seems almost unthinkable these days that the most elementary of rights—human rights—were once denied vast portions of the population worldwide. Nevertheless, this was precisely the most regrettable offshoot of the discovery of the New World by European powers, which established so profitable and widespread a system of human trafficking that ultimately it proved near impossible to reverse. In St. Martin the road to manumission was further complicated by the fact that it was a peripheral possession ruled by the dual interests of the French and Dutch governments. Consequently slavery was officially abolished not only once but twice on the island, first in 1848 (by France) and then 1863 (by the Netherlands). Prior to those definitive moments, however, France flirted with the idea of ending slavery during the most radical days of the French Revolution, which officially decreed against the practice in 1794. The envoy charged with the mandate of enforcing the Revolution in the Caribbean was Victor Hugues, who set sail for Guadeloupe, at the time in British hands. Hugues proclaimed all slaves free and used this as a strategy to gather support for the revolutionary cause, wrestling control of Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, La Desirade, St. Lucia and Grenada from Britain. At this stage St. Martin was fully in Dutch hands but things would change in 1795, when the Republic of the United Netherlands was turned into the Batavian Republic, essentially a satellite state of France. A
few months later, Victor Hugues’ troops invaded St. Martin but the French decided to respect all Dutch institutions, and while the Batavian Republic had ostensibly embraced the motto of equality, liberty and fraternity, its enthusiasm had fallen well short of echoing the revolutionary initiative for the freedom of all mankind. Thus, emancipation never quite reached St. Martin at the end of the XVIII century. Thus, too, the island’s approximately 4,000 slaves were spared the affront of having their rights revoked by Napoleon, who reinstituted slavery in the French colonies in 1802. By this time, however, the controversy surrounding the subject was tremendous: Portugal had abolished slavery in mainland Portugal, Madeira, the Azores and its possession in the East Indies (but not Brazil) between 1761 and 1777; the British Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade had been founded in 1787 and immediately created the Province of Freetown (modern day Sierra Leone) to resettle free black people from the rebellious United States; Denmark would make slave trade illegal in 1803, Britain in 1808, the Netherlands in 1814. Meanwhile, in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti), the news of Napoleon’s edict to bring back slavery was greeted with a mighty rebellion. A similar situation unfolded in Guadeloupe, where an army of a few hundred freed slaves under the command of Louis Delgres held out against the French troops until they were cornered and for all purposes continued on page 28 ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHEN HISTORY
LEFT Massacre of whites by slaves in Haiti (then Saint-Domingue) when news broke of Napoleon’s reintroduction of slavery in French colonies in 1802. OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT The actual document of the first Proclamation of Abolition of Slavery in 1894. OPPOSITE PAGE, RIGHT Painting depicting the final abolition of slavery in the French colonies in 1894, by François-Auguste Biard.
continued from page 27 defeated, at which point they opted for immolation ahead of a return to servitude. Slaves in St. Martin were never presented with this option but the progression even in the early days of the XIX century was towards a more humane rapport between slaves and masters. A number of factors contributed to this circumstance, not least the fact that slaves often toiled at the salt pans, a less excruciating and more sociable activity that cutting cane. Added to this, the official end of the slave trade by France in 1818 made it nearly impossible to replenish the workforce on the island by means other than smuggling—which admittedly was common practice. Nevertheless, during the first quarter of the XIX century there were around 100 plantations on St. Martin, one fourth of which had cane fields, and a population of roughly 350 white people, the majority of which were British. Thus, when Britain finally resolved to outlaw slavery in 1833 slaves suddenly found they were just a narrow strait away from relative freedom. Similarly, though the landscape in St. Martin might not be as intimidating as elsewhere in the region, marooning was still a regular practice among the most determined individuals on the island, as can be gathered from the legend of One-Tété Lohkay, a runaway slave who repeatedly escaped her owner’s estate on the Dutch side and defiantly set her camp, visible to all, on the hills above the plantations. While all these variables conspired to create a special individual relationship between slaves and slave-owners in St. Martin that made it possible for the majority of the population to enjoy better conditions than in other islands, the reality was that institution28
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ally these conditions had no legal bearing or support whatsoever. Indeed France would have to go through another revolution, the one of 1848, to finally breathe the necessary impetus into abolitionism. The key figure in this struggle was Victor Schoelcher, an avid activist who spent the best part of two decades fighting for the enfranchisement of slaves in France, and who was appointed in February by the new government to draft a decree proclaiming the abolition of slavery. The decree, which stipulated abolition to come into effect on August 3, was ready on April 27. By then, word of Schoelcher’s general designs had spread in the Caribbean and riots broke out in both Martinique and Guadeloupe. The news didn’t reach peripheral little St. Martin until weeks later, but when it did it sent the system of dual administration on the island into crisis, for it became immediately evident that keeping slaves on the Dutch side from crossing over to the French side would be entirely unfeasible. Famous among the runaways are the Diamond Estate twentysix, a group of slaves from Cole Bay who took to the bush and cut their way across Marigot Hill to claim their freedom. But the situation was, of course, not as simple as that: Schoelcher’s decree effectively bought the freedom of close to a quarter of a million people across the colonies and ultimately cost the French state 120 million francs, but not a single one of them would be invested in purchasing the liberty of slaves from other territories. Consequently, the Dutch authorities in St. Martin tried to cull the exodus to the French side through collaboration with the French authorities to return runaway slaves to their Dutch owners, while they requested their own government to emulate their French
counterparts and devise a coherent strategy to do away with slavery. Unsurprisingly, faraway St. Martin did not hold enough sway in the affairs of the Netherlands to affect its colonial policy. Neither did Curacao, where major riots erupted through 1848. But the only true territory of consequence for the Dutch on the western hemisphere at this stage was Surinam, and things there remained quiet until the Netherlands also joined the abolitionist wagon in 1863.
in the Dutch side of St. Martin through the 1850s essentially had no rights, no claims, no legitimate existence under the law outside of what was granted to them with the consent of their master. Evidently, this aspect of slavery is far removed from the lacerating image of blood-drawing whips and shackles normally associated to the system, but an aspect that must still be regarded as immensely significant, insofar as it concerns human dignity. Both the fact that slaves in St. Martin were practically free and
Thus, for the fifteen years between 1848 and 1863 St. Martin, an island of roughly ninety square kilometers, was left in the unique and doubtless awkward situation of having to marry contradictory and incompatible practices. Not only was St, Martin too small to make this pairing viable, but the long-established agreements of free transit between the two sides of the island as well as the common ownership to its most important resources, the salt pans, meant that the relationship between French former slaves and Dutch not-yet-freed slaves was perfectly fluid. The practical ramifications of this were predictable: slaves on the Dutch side demanded conditions that were comparable to those of employed workers on the other side of the island. In other words, the system of forced labor had expired in St. Martin, or at least it was doomed to live out its last days. This has led to the generalized claim that, to all extent and purposes, slavery was abolished in St. Martin in 1848. While an argument can be made that this indeed was the case in terms of the mercantile relationship between slave-owner and slave, master and vassal, the fact remains that individuals catalogued as slaves
that the institution of slavery was still current on the island by the time the Dutch finally resolved to terminate it in 1863 were tacitly acknowledged by the government when it paid slave-owners on Dutch St. Martin for 1,878 slaves at the rate of 100 guilders per slave. Though a substantial improvement on the first offer of 30 guilders per slave, the resources allocated to St. Martin by the Dutch bursary were almost nominal compared to the 200 guilders it paid for each of the roughly 6,000 slaves in Curacao and the 300 guilders per slave it put aside for the close to 35,000 slaves freed in Surinam. And yet, nominal or not, the gesture was laden with great symbolism. Obviously it was a means of protecting private property, and as such it clearly played into the interests of the planters. But at the same time it also constituted recognition—deliberate or not—for a group of people that for too long had remained oppressed. Belated, partial, insufficient as this recognition might have been, it signaled the successful end of a mighty struggle of close to seventy years and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this island—a chapter, by the by, that is still in the making. SXM ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHAT WINE & DINE
Broadway, Brisket, and Best-of-SXM T O P P E R D A B O U L’ S R E S T A U R A N T S — A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U C C E S S S T O R Y | by Orrett H. Wynter
“... the rule in the family was to give people what they want... and it’s the same today.” —TOPPER DABOUL 30
H
ungry visitors to St. Maarten often ask, “Where can I get lobster at a great price?” or “What’s the hottest spot on the island for entertainment?” The locals will often say, “Topper’s!” And they aren’t alone. The license plates and service badges that line the walls show that patrons from far and wide have enjoyed St. Maarten’s award-winning “Best International Restaurant” for the last five years. When Boston native Topper Daboul opened his flagship location on Welfare Road in Simpson Bay back in 2006, the restaurant industry wasn’t new to him. He had grown up working at his family’s restaurants, from fast food spots like Dairy Queen to his grandfather’s establishment, Anthony’s, which catered to stars like
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Rita Hayworth and famed boxer Jack Dempsey. In 1944, the six-year-old Topper started there, peeling potatoes and taking out trash. “I moved from there to dishwasher, to barkeep, to bartender, to server, cook, chef, and then manager. The experience was long, if you will,” Daboul describes with his hearty laugh. Later on, Daboul traveled internationally, gaining experience with the flavors and culinary styles of Asia, Africa, and Europe; he later applied that knowledge, sharing his passion for food with others at a cooking school.
Topper and his wife, Melanie, pride themselves on offering great-tasting food, made from scratch using only the highestquality ingredients—their famous beef brisket was even made with money once! “We had only been open for a few days,” Melanie relates, smiling, “and we didn’t know what to do with the money because we didn’t have a safe yet. So, Topper put it in the oven... and the first brisket he cooked, he cooked it with money! He opened up the oven and saw all of the money we had made floating around in there.” Such expensive cooking fuel must have brought them luck. The popularity of Topper’s menu led them to open a second restaurant, Topper’s by the Sea at the Flamingo Beach Resort a few years later. In addition to the daily specials like all-youcan-eat pasta on Tuesdays and Wednesday nights’ Lobster Party, this location features Broadway-caliber performances every Thursday night. One need only peek at the reviews for either location to know that Topper and Melanie’s commitment to great food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere makes an impression: “Happy people work here”; “Best brisket on the island”; “Loved everything we tried”. The Dabouls are no strangers to adversity, but their response has always been to put good back into the world. Melanie explains, “We’ve helped fund
CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT These whimsical salt and pepper shakers at Topper’s are shaped like the bottles of his eponymous rum; Numerous license plates, as well as photos of Topper with his family and friends line the walls and ceilings of the flagship location in Simpson Bay; Among the popular menu items is this Pastrami sandwich served with the restaurant’s signature cole slaw.
a foundation on the island to build a shelter for girls, and another in the States that supports a few other causes. We’ve gone forward, and it’s been a very difficult road for us, but our [work] is about loving families, building strong friendships, and having a lot of fun and celebration.” With awards for Best Steak, Best Party, and Best Food, and an astonishing 1500 lbs. of brisket sold each week, it seems like Daboul’s motto “Get the people what they want” is working: locals and visitors want Topper’s. SXM
TOPPER’S RHUM: TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH MELANIE DABOUL HAS
always worked magic in her kitchen, from homemade pies to
many of the recipes featured at both Topper’s locations. More than twenty years ago, she started experimenting with making all-natural rhums to offer their restaurant clientele as a complimentary after-dinner drink; after daily requests from customers to buy a bottle to share with their friends, the Dabouls were led to a partnership with good friends Thelma and Mike King. Together, they developed a vision of a distillery to distribute Topper’s Rhum worldwide, as well as donating a portion of the proceeds to help abused women and less-fortunate children. Tragically, a few days before the planned opening of the distillery, the Kings were murdered during a home robbery. However, the Dabouls and the surviving family members of the Kings chose to move forward, to honor Thelma and Mike’s memory, and in December of 2012 Topper’s Rhum became the only exported product for the entire island of St. Maarten. In the years since, it has gone on to win gold awards in several prestigious rhum tasting contests, and Topper’s Rhum is now distributed in the United States and throughout the Caribbean. Available in flavors like Coconut, White Chocolate Raspberry and more, Topper’s Rhum is sure to please even the most discerning consumer. Learn more at www.toppersrhum.com. ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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LEFT Paul Melskens, sommelier at Holland House’s Ocean Lounge Restaurant in Philipsburg. RIGHT Ocean Lounge’s wine cellar, though small, packs a big punch and was recently recognized with an “Award of Excellence” by Wine Spectator Magazine for its wellchosen and well-matched selection of quality wines.
Uncorked
D
S O M M E L I E R PA U L M E L S K E N S H E L P S B R I N G H O N O R S T O H O L L A N D H O U S E O N C E M O R E | by Orrett H. Wynter
utch-born Paul Melskens has put his motto into practice at Holland House’s Ocean Lounge Restaurant over the last four years. For the second year in a row, the establishment was awarded the prestigious “Award of Excellence” by Wine Spectator Magazine, given to restaurants that combine a wine list of at least 90 different varieties with superb menu pairings. Melskens reflects on his work at Holland House: “We have at least 30 more varieties of wine than when I started.
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We have a larger by-the-glass program, and the staff is also more educated on what to offer our patrons.” Paul’s interest in wine began in his native Holland, where he worked at a Michelin one-star restaurant under the tutelage of one of the country’s best sommeliers. He explains, “After I started to try more wines, I began to read more about them and how to make the best wine and food combinations. It’s really fun!” His love affair with the Caribbean began during childhood visits to
PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Melskens: Orrett H. Wynter; Ocean Lounge Restaurant: courtesy of Ocean Lounge Restaurant
WHAT WINE & DINE
WHAT PAUL’S DRINKING NOW
ABOVE The beachfront location is a great backdrop for the food and wine that Ocean Lounge serves up.
SANCERRE CABERNET SAUVIGNON (FRANCE) “You’ll make me happy with a good Sancerre. Dry, crispy, with some fruity notes. It’s a very nice, refreshing white wine, and it makes a very good combination with seafood.
MALBEC (MENDOZA, ARGENTINA) “This Malbec is rich and full bodied. It’s rich on red fruit. This, too, goes quite well with seafood.”
SUPER TUSCAN (TUSCANY, ITALY) “I love a Super Tuscany, with Cabernet Sauvignon in it. Super Tuscanys could have 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but for me, a good, typical Italian blend, like Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon is great. The Italians would describe the wine as “The Blood of God.” It’s a very generous wine with deep red color, and flavours of blueberry, chocolate and a hint of sweetness, also.”
“Life’s too short to drink bad bottles of wine, that’s why I only drink good ones.” —PAUL MELSKENS
the islands, and in 2011, he accepted the position as Food and Beverage Manager at Ocean Lounge. “I was ready for a new challenge,” he relates with a smile. “I packed my suitcases, and a month later, I was here.” One way Melskens develops the wine offerings at Holland House is through internationally themed evening events. For instance, their always sold-out Latin Nights offer courses paired with Argentinean Trivento wines, Caipirinha cocktails from Brazil, and live entertainment featuring the music of Latin America. For those who prefer more traditional, local options, Melskens recommends Chef Raymond’s signature charbroiled mahi mahi or fruits de mer seafood platter combined with one of the many Sauvignon Blancs on their wine list. The exuberant sommelier points out that, in general, wine consumers are better-educated than in years past, often using wine apps to select the perfect match for a meal. However, he still finds great satisfaction in helping even the best-informed clients discover an unexpected pairing. “People know about grape varieties, but you can still surprise them with a good glass of wine for an honest price. Customers who have a great dinner with a good wine pairing suggested by me or one of our team members—they learn something new as they experience a new wine.” Among the most popular wines selected by Ocean Lounge’s patrons are Cab’s from California, the rosés from Provence, and the perennial favorite New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. “I wouldn’t say that being a sommelier is fully my career,” Paul concludes. “I love to learn, and read… I would have to say that wine is 100% my passion.” This passion for wine informs his views on life: “It’s nice to get together with a bottle of wine, share stories and talk about life. Life is too short to drink bad bottles of wine, that’s why I only drink good ones.” SXM ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHAT WINE & DINE Capitale de la Gastronomie
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B O N V I VA N T S LOV E G RA N D C A S E . H E R E ’ S W H Y. | by Gillian Birch
ocated on the northwest coast of St Martin, Grand Case brings Parisian cuisine to the Caribbean. This quaint beachfront boulevard with its shops, galleries and upscale restaurants is the “Gourmet Capital” of St Martin for both residents and visitors. General parking is available midway along Grand Case, next to the Blue Martini. If you dine at a restaurant on the north side of the boulevard, you can enjoy stunning sunsets over Baie de Grand Case to enhance your culinary dining experience. Here are five to whet your appetite:
Established in 1993 by brothers Thibault and Amaury Mezière, this 50-cover restaurant consistently rates in the top five on the island. Chef Dimitri keeps the French gourmet menu fresh and appealing and refuses to compromise on quality and freshness. The menu runs through a gamut of French favourites, from paté de foie gras, escargots (snails) and magret de canard to profiteroles maison for dessert. 1 Boulevard de Grand Case, +590 590 29 08 29 www.bistrot-caraibes.com
LA VILLA In the heart of Grand Case, La Villa is open every evening from 5 pm to entice diners with a blend of French cuisine and Caribbean bounty. Recommended specialties by Chef Patrick Guillerm and his team include mahi mahi in a mustard crust or duck breast carpaccio with balsamic glaze. To complement the excellent à la carte menu, La Villa also offers a three course Prix Fixe Menu for just $49 with a supplement on foie gras and lobster choices. Kids are welcome and have their own special menu including ice cream and a soft drink. 93 Boulevard de Grand Case, +590 590 52 36 59 www.lavillasxm.com/index.htm
L’AUBERGE GOURMANDE Awarded “Best of the Caribbean” in a Travel&Life Readers’ Poll, and frequently visited by international food critics, L’Auberge Gourmande offers gourmet dining in one of the oldest creole houses on St Martin. Dine indoors and appreciate the restored 34
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architectural features or sit on the terrace amidst tropical plantings. The menu always has six fish and six meat choices accompanied by French regional wines from the temperature-controlled wine cellar. Finish with the chef’s signature flourish—The Delice for a truly epicurean feast. 89 Boulevard de Grand Case, +590 590 87 73 37 www.laubergegourmande.com
LE COTTAGE If you like people-watching and appreciate the services of a professional sommelier, The Cottage is the place to find both on Grand Case. Request a table on the porch and enjoy the menu offered by Chef David Hanquer who trained in Ancizes and honed his passion in many Parisian restaurants before moving to Grand Case in 1997. Complemented by owner/sommelier Stéphane Emorine, it’s hard to find a more knowledgeable and experienced restaurant team on the island. 1 Boulevard de Grand Case, +590 590 29 08 29 www.lecottagesxm.com
RESTAURANT LE SOLEIL For sunset views, it’s hard to beat the intimate atmosphere and fabulous cuisine at Restaurant Le Soleil. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and offering a full bar, Le Soleil is a family friendly restaurant with excellent food and service. Don’t leave the island without toasting the sunset with a glass of champagne (French, of course) at Le Soleil! 60 Boulevard de Grand Case, +590 590 87 92 32 www.restaurant-le-soleil.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Orrett H. Wynter
BISTRO CARAIBES
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WHAT SHOPPING
LEFT Inside the Guavaberry Emporium on Frontstreet in Philipsburg. RIGHT, TOP Hand-painted bottles of 5-year old rum make nice, intimate souvenirs. RIGHT, BOTTOM A line of tasty hot sauces is also available. BOTTOM Outside the Guavaberry Emporium in Philipsburg.
A Taste of Sint Maarten f you want an appropriate souvenir from St Maarten, give the Caribbean Rum Cakes a miss and opt for a more authentic local treat—guavaberry liqueur. Made from white rum, cane sugar and wild Sint Maarten guavaberries, this delicious folk liqueur was originally made in private homes and is part of the island’s cultural heritage, as island folk songs attest. Not to be confused with guava, these berries are about half an inch in diameter and grow wild on bushes in the centre of the island. Similar to cherries, the berries have a central stone surrounded by bitter-sweet flesh. Guavaberries are capricious, with no real harvest season. When ripened, they can be either golden yellow or black—a real conundrum for botanists. Picking them is a slow and tedious process, which makes them all the more special. High in vitamin C, B-vitamins, iron and trace minerals, guavaberries are said to have powerful health benefits, although scientific studies have yet to validate the claims. The berries are mainly used to produce Guavaberry Liqueur, along with other products such as guavaberry honey and BBQ sauce. Of the many varieties of the liqueur on the island, Old Man Guavaberry Liqueur is the most popular, available in most wine and spirits outlets, but it’s far more fun to buy it direct from the Guavaberry Emporium in Philipsburg. Located on Frontstreet, the Sint Maarten Guavaberry Company operates from this factory store, once a synagogue and Governor’s home. It’s a great place to
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find locally made products and sample the authentic Guavaberry Island Folk Liqueur. The old man featured on the label was the original owner of the farm and his family still produces most of the island’s guavaberries. When the trees are in blossom, you can take a botanical walking tour from Loterie Farm to see these indigenous bushes in their native habitat. Once drunk only at Christmas, the Old Man Guavaberry Liqueur with its spicy bittersweet flavour makes a fitting souvenir of St Maarten. Sip it as a warming after-dinner drink, or blend it with ice, coconut cream and pineapple juice to make a delicious Guavaberry Colada Cocktail. Cheers! SXM PHOTOGRAPHY Orrett H. Wynter
I
O L D M A N G U AVA B E R R Y L I Q U E U R I S A U N I Q U E I S L A N D K E E P S A K E . | by Orrett H. Wynter
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WHAT AUTOS
Facel, the GT par Excellence
W
THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE LAST FRENCH LUXURY CAR M A N U F A C T U R E R | by Adrian and Montague Kobbé
hen Prince Stanislav Poniatowski, administrator of one-time car manufacturer HispanoSuiza, talked his friend Jean Daninos into entering the suddenly deserted luxury car market in France, the heyday of French motoring was long past. It was the early 1950s, and the country was living out the aftermath of a devastating war. But Daninos had a vision, and he pursued it until the troublesome waters of his times proved too tempestuous to navigate. His idea was to produce a perfect grand tourer: a car that combined speed with comfort, catering to the wealthiest in the country. A pragmatic man with a penchant for style, Daninos earned his reputation designing some of the most remarkable cars immediately after the war, such as the 1948 Bentley Cresta and the phenomenal Ford Comete from 1951. But by 1954, he was ready to launch the first of his own models, the emblematic Facel-Vega. Built in collaboration with Metallon, the Facel-Vega was fitted with the famous American deSoto V8 Firedome engine and a manual four-speed transmission by Pont-a-Mousson. Conceived as a touring car
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OPPOSITE PAGE The 1957 Facel Vega FV4 Typhoon. TOP 1957 Facel Vega FV3B. BOTTOM, LEFT & RIGHT 1957 Facel Vega FV3B. BOTTOM, LEFT 1955 Facel Vega FV-1
capable of great speed, the Facel not only incorporated technology from the US and France; it married two different but compatible ways of looking at motoring. The Facel-Vega was conceived with an international and exclusive clientele in mind, which was clearly reflected on its price tag—nearly three million Francs, approximately six times the cost of a Renault 4CV! Facel-Vega’s immediate success led to it being redesigned, developed, rebranded and launched anew in 1958 as the HK 500, a powerful specimen equipped with an automatic transmission and a 5900cc Chrsyler Typhoon engine. Sleek, fast, yet tastefully appointed with deep leather seats and wooden console and dashboards, the Facel-Vega HK 500 embodied everything Daninos set out to accomplish at the start of his journey, matching the prestige of a powerful American engine with the finesse of French design. By 1958 Daninos had decided that a smaller, cheaper French sports car could sell as many as 2,500 units per year—a major step up for a company that was already profitable producing a modest 250 cars annually. But at the time, the French government prohib-
ited imports of that many small power units, so a local engine had to be found. Eventually, Pont-a-Mousson was commissioned to provide a straight 115hp, 1650cc four-cylinder engine, and in the 1960 Geneva Auto Show Daninos launched the new Facellia—a pretty and relatively fast little car which nonetheless was plagued with problems and malfunctions. None were terminal, and in time, they would all be addressed, but the enormous amount of capital Facel suddenly was forced to invest in straightening out its foray into full sports car manufacturing overstressed the carmaker’s possibilities. By the end of 1961, dark clouds already loomed large in Facel-Vega’s horizon. Nevertheless, the company still managed to present in the 1961 Paris Salon the most beautiful French car produced after 1945, the Facel II—a milestone in fast and luxurious GT tourers. Remarkable as it was, however, the Facel II did not make problems disappear. By August 1962 the banks demanded an outside administrator be placed at the helm of Facel-Vega, and though the continued on page 40 ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHAT AUTOS
continued from page 39 “engine crisis” was solved in 1963 when the Facellia was replaced with a “new” Facel III, equipped with an 1800cc Volvo engine, the company’s reputation had suffered. Neither the Facel II nor the Facel III were particularly unreliable, and the brand new, mid-sized Facel VI, launched in 1964 with a three-liter, six-cylinder BMC engine, was anything but problematic. Indeed, there is so often talk of “too little, too late” when it comes to solutions, but the Facel VI was everything the company could have hoped for: beautiful design, good proportions, gorgeous interior, adequate suspension. And yet, plentiful as it was, it still came too late. Public opinion 40
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proved hard to sway. By the end of 1964, Facel had closed its doors to the public. French bureaucracy combined, with a total disregard for prestige car making at governmental level, had driven the final nail into the coffin of one of the most stylish undertakings of the time. The final balance over the course of its ten-year existence was a total output of close to 3,000 units, including roughly 500 HK 500, under 200 Facel II and 32 Facel VI. Not an industrial production by any stretch of the imagination—and yet, to this day, when you think of the quintessential Grand Tourer, you still think of Facel-Vega. SXM
ABOVE Details like the tail lights on the 1957 FV4 Typhoon contributed to the popularity of the cars in the 50s and early 60s. BOTTOM ROW The interiors such as in the 1962 Facel II (bottom, left)—considered their best luxury tourer, and one of the most sought after in the classic car market today—and even the ultimately very disappointing 1964 Facellia/Facel 6 (bottom, right), were extremely stylish and luxurious, even by today’s standards.
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Design Anguilla magazine is Anguilla’s leading luxury lifestyle publication presenting the very best in architecture, art, fashion, food, music and personalities that the island has to offer.
FEATURE COVER FEATURE
“Anything you are craving you can find in St. Maarten. This is the culinary capital of the Caribbean.” —DINO JAGTIANI
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DINO
JAGTIANI O N E O F S I N T M A A R T E N ’ S T O P C H E F S TA L K S A B O U T H I S N E W R E S TA U R A N T, H I S C O O K B O O K A N D H I S P L A N S F O R T H E F U T U R E . Words: Arun Jagtiani | Photos: Elvis Harrigan
I
n 1971, a young couple from Bombay visited the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten for a honeymoon—and never left! Soon, my older brother, Dino, was born in a tiny hospital on the beach in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. I would follow 3 years later. For as long as I can remember, Dino dreamed of being a chef. He seemed to know from birth that he was put on earth to cook. When we were young boys, we fought over the TV remote because he always wanted to watch cooking shows. I couldn’t stand them. For years, my lunches were experiments by the young Chef Dino. (I was a brutally honest critic: the passion to cook was always there, but the skills took time!). After Dino and I attended high school in New Jersey, he became the first St. Maartner to graduate from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in upstate New York. He went on to work around the world—London, New York, St. Louis, Aruba, and of course St. Maarten. In 2002, Dino opened his most successful venture to date: “Temptation,” located in Cupecoy, St. Maarten. The award-wining restaurant made Chef Dino into an icon of the local gastronomic scene, and in my eyes, the best chef on the island. Even though he’s my brother, it was a pleasure to interview him, taking the time to truly see him in that light.
Recently you launched your first cookbook. What separates it from other cookbooks out there? In the Caribbean, people are amazing. People who don’t read books—they’re writing books now [laughs]. One of the most
understated motivators for anybody is the opportunity to express yourself, and writing this book gave me that opportunity. I worked with Sir Roland Richardson and his wife Laura Richardson, and we created something that has never been done before: a book rich in content, made by 3 masters in their fields. It brings together an artist, a chef, and a poet, all in one beautiful hardcover coffee-style book. You will appreciate what this book brings into your home… it’s a feel-good book. Its perfect for the readers of this magazine, being a lifestyle magazine—it’s a book about celebrating life, beauty and taste.
How did that collaboration come about?
Ronald approached me one day to do my portrait. While he was painting, we were talking and getting to know each other… we got along great. I told him I was working on a cookbook. When the portrait was finished, I thought about using it for the cover of the cookbook—that planted the seed, and the seed grew into a collaboration.
As someone who describes himself as a non-reader, what was it like writing a book? How long did the process take?
My motivation to write this book was never to write an Amazon best-seller. We wanted to express ourselves as artists. The process took 2 years. Everything in the book is done with integrity; the food pictures are of real food—no styling or makeup or anything like that. When you see the imperfections on the plate, you know its real food. You will see a picture of a hamburger, but you will see the juice dripping on the plate. It’s real food. There was no cutting or cropping of Sir Roland’s work, either—every original work is reproduced to scale. ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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FEATURE COVER FEATURE “If this is your career, get a degree! If it’s just a job… show up on time..” —DINO JAGTIANI
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I know you’ve been busy lately. Tell us about some of your new projects? Recently I joined Carnival Cruise Lines as a guest chef on several of their ships. We’ve put together a tour in which they visit the art gallery of Sir Roland Richardson, then have lunch cooked for them by culinary students of the NIPA school, and then have steel pan lessons from The Mighty Dow, who is also a master of his craft. To help sell the tour, Carnival has invited me onboard to give a cooking demonstration the day before the ship arrives in St. Maarten.
Is this tour available for cruise passengers only? We are working on making it available to everyone in the near future, but the thing is, you have people with busy schedules. Getting us all together for 2 days a week is not easy—but if we can find a way, we’ll do it.
You recently opened a new restaurant, “The Grill” at Starz Casino in Cupecoy. How would you compare it to your signature restaurant “Temptation”?
“The Grill” gave me the opportunity to create foods and have my hand involved in catering to a different price range. We have pastas, burgers, sandwiches, salads; we do a beautiful breakfast with pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict. Ninety percent of the menu items are under 20 dollars. It’s a casual, friendly
environment with a great open-area terrace. It’s a nice place to enjoy a meal. Temptation is a special restaurant—it’s the complete dining experience that caters to all of your senses. Its the place to celebrate those special occasions like your anniversary or birthday.
What are your future plans?
Right now, we are rebranding Temptation. We are coming out with a new logo and redoing the front of our restaurant. In the future, I hope to take Temptation outside of St. Maarten, either in the Caribbean, South American or North American Market.
What advice would you have for food lovers who are new to this island? What other restaurants would you recommend to them? Anything you are craving you can find in St. Maarten. This is the culinary capital of the Caribbean. For a good pasta, I think of Izi; for sushi, I think of Bamboo Bernies; Thai, I think of Thai Savanh; French—La Pressuare; Italian—Spiga. We also have some great beach restaurants like Waikiki, Karaktar, Dreams...
Final question. What advice do you have for anyone starting off in this industry?
Get a degree. If this is your career, get a degree! If it’s just a job… show up on time. SXM ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHAT PROPERTY FEATURE
“This could be a LEED platinum project, but I’m just happy it’s green... If you can’t make the technology disappear, then what’s the point? It needs to be inviting.” —JENSEN DAGGETT
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GREEN... PEACE E N V I R O N M E N TA L I S T U S E S H E R S U S TA I N A B L E B U I L D I N G E X P E R I E N C E T O PA C K A G E T H E B E S T O F S T. M A R T I N L I V I N G I N T O A L U X U R I O U S , G R E E N , M O D E R N V A C AT I O N H O M E . Words: Orrett H. Wynter
The expansive deck and infinity edge pool celebrates outdoor living, and offers a panoramic view of Baie Rouge below, Anguilla to the north, as well as the lights of Marigot at night.
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WHAT PROPERTY FEATURE
W
hen Jensen Daggett and her family visited St. Martin a few years ago on sabbatical from the hectic lives of their native Santa Monica, the home builder simply couldn’t fight the urge to create another home. Within a few months, they were looking for property. Daggett, who’s used to doing modern renovations of classic Hollywood manors, first looked at existing, older homes in Terres Basses and Orient Bay, but found them out of the budget. With their sights now fixed on land, the family spent the next 6 months looking. “We found this one, with an unfinished pool, and made an
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offer right away,” Daggett says. But creating a building worthy of the location would take some trial and error. “I thought, ‘This is the kind of property I can mess up,’” she laughs. The following 2 months were spent designing the family’s vacation home, with an additional 3 months’ wait for permits. Daggett spent the entire construction period on the island, enrolling her sons in a local school, becoming her own project manager, and, incidentally, getting a crash course in building in the Caribbean. Some challenges, such as sourcing materials, were expected. “It’s much easier to get things in LA,” she explains. “Here, we have to order and ship them in… and stuff breaks during shipping.”
OPPOSITE, TOP & BOTTOM LEFT The great room, benefits from the light and airiness of the open floor plan, as well as unobstructed views to the ocean. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM RIGHT Downstairs, the “man cave”/games room, offers a range of diversions from foosball to ping pong and comes with full bar with a “swim-window” looking into the pool from below. THIS PAGE, FROM TOP The two master bedroom suites continue the open-plan motif, with large full-height sliding doors opening out to large patio spaces and the view. They also feature spacious bathrooms with open-air bath tubs and showers; The 5th bedroom, located on the lower level is part of a self-contained efficiency apartment with its own kitchen, living and dining areas, as well as an outdoor lounging terrace.
Other challenges are unique to the island. In one of the most culturally diverse places in the world—people from over 100 nationalities live on the island—instructions often had to be translated into 3 or more different languages. Daggett laughs at just how involved she was in the entire project. “In French, the word they use is promoteur,” she says, “which roughly translates to ‘master builder.’” A self-identified environmentalist, Daggett brought her years of green building knowledge with her, creating an ultramodern island home with plenty of integrated green features, including smart home technology and programmable LED lighting, which allow the family to control their home from anywhere in the world. Her insistence on sustainability was holistic. On the roof is a substantial 10kW solar array, buttressed by a 4-day battery backup capable of handling all of the home’s energy demands. Tankless water heaters placed strategically throughout the home to reduce the distance to water fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom help to reduce energy demand. The pool is heated primarily by the sun; dark tiles absorb heat throughout the day, keeping the water comfortably warm. Here, Daggett’s green ingenuity continues: cleverly hidden drains around the pool and along the deck harvest rainwater. Water from the roof, along with greywater from the sinks and showers, passes through a filtration system to be then used in the landscaping. Entering through the large, custom wooden double doors reveals the property’s spectacular view: Marigot just a stone’s throw to the northeast, Anguilla across the channel beyond. Daggett took full advantage of the sloping terrain, stepping the house so that every room enjoys it. On the main level, four bedrooms flank the open-plan main living and entertaining spaces, all connected by a full-length hall-cum-breezeway with transom windows at either end—key to maintaining good airflow. “Our sons are 10 and 14. We didn’t want a house made up of little, connected pods,” Daggett says of the decision to keep all the spaces in a single, long building. Matching this long hall, the main living and sleeping spaces open onto an equally impressive pool deck on the building’s continued on page 50 ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHAT PROPERTY FEATURE
continued from page 49 north façade. Inside, the home is minimally but tastefully furnished with pieces Daggett herself designed and built in Bali. She was keen to bring sustainable design inside as well, using eco-friendly paint, healthy home fabrics and furnishings that contained no pesticides or formaldehyde. Inverter air-conditioning units and energy-star rated appliances are used throughout and, in the kitchen, she chose a dishwasher with a special drawer, “perfect for a few glasses and dishes and uses less water than running a full cycle.” All in all, Daggett is pleased with the result, especially with its low environmental footprint. “My aim is to educate people,” she reflects. “These kinds of projects can be done here—there are great craftsmen on the island; you just have to find them.” “This could be a LEED platinum project, if we had really wanted it to be,” she says of the home’s sustainable features, “but I’m just happy it’s green.” Even with all of the innovative technologies used, Villa Amandara remains a vacation home, first and foremost; Daggett insists on comfort and function. “It has everything you need for a great vacation,” she says. “If you can’t make the technology disappear, then what’s the point? It needs to be inviting.” Would she do it again? “Of course! I just need to take a break first,” she smiles. SXM For inquiries, and to learn more about Villa Amandara, contact: Harrison Reed: US (213) 805-0840 | Local (590) 590 51 02 85 Email: info@stmartinsothebysrealty.com Web: www.stmartinsothebysrealty.com/
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LEFT The bedrooms, both above, and below, all open onto expansive terraces, encouraging outdoors living. TOP RIGHT The minimalist, modern approach was taken outside as well with carefully placed lighting accentuating the mostly natural landscaping.
“These kinds of projects can be done here... there are great craftsmen on the island; you just have to find them.” —JENSEN DAGGETT
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WHAT PROPERTY
Buying a Home in St. Maarten 5 TIPS FOR FINDING AND PURCHASING YOUR OWN P R O P E R T Y O N S I N T M A A R T E N . | by Arun Jagtiani
KNOW YOUR BUDGET There is nothing worse then falling in love with a property, making your family think this is going to be their new home, and then discovering you can’t afford it. Putting your family through this experience might ultimately end up depriving you of the opportunity to become a homeowner. Many who go through this emotional roller coaster get very discouraged and often stop their search for the perfect property. Before you start looking at properties, speak to a bank, family members, or your accountant so you know your financial limitations and can avoid being disappointed.
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT Think about what is most important for you and your families needs. Location, size, number of bedrooms, amenities, these are just a few things to give careful consideration. Be prepared that you most likely will not get everything on your wish list in one property, even if you have an unlimited budget! Is it better to build or buy an existing home? There are pros and cons to building your own home. First of all you have to be prepared for at least 24 months of headaches. But if you are diligent enough and pay careful attention to the details, you might end up with exactly what you wanted at a fraction of the price. This being said, if you are not careful its also very easy to go over budget… my suggestion if you are going to build, make sure you have patience, and the right professionals (architects, engineers, builders, designers, etc) guiding you through the process. 52
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A professional real estate agent will save you a lot of time and frustration as you search for your ideal home.
FIND A GOOD REALTOR A professional real estate agent will save you a lot of time and frustration as you search for your ideal home. A seasoned realtor will have been through the process hundreds of times, having that kind of experience guiding you can add a tremendous amount of value as you get prepared to make the largest financial decision you will ever make with your personal funds. Find a realtor who genuinely cares about you and your family’s needs, and someone who is committed to his or her profession. Be wary of agents who are in the business simply to try and make a quick commission. There is a false perception that by not using a realtor you can save money, while there might be a few cases where this is true overall, if you have a knowledgeable professional in your corner, chances are you will make a wiser decision. It is a realtor’s job to know what is on the market for sale, this insight can save you a tremendous amount of time and energy. An honest realtor will not only show you his or her listings, but also those from the competitors. All reputable real estate agents on St. Maarten work together and should be willing to share commission without any increases in fees to the buyer or seller. If your realtor is unwilling to show you properties that are listed with another agency, chances are they are not thinking of your best interest… in this case I suggest finding a new agent who will fight for your best interest above everything else.
VISIT ALL THE OPTIONS WITHIN YOUR BUDGET The more properties you see, the easier it will be for you to identify a good value when you see one. Do not avoid visiting properties simply because they do not meet all your needs. If it’s within your budget and has a few good features check it out, before you officially cross it off your list… Often times buyers fall in love with properties that are extremely different from what they originally thought they were looking for. We have a saying in our office “buyers are liars and they don’t even know it!”
TAKE ACTION The best deals will not stay around forever. Give careful consideration and do your due diligence, but do not over analyze. If you are going to wait for all the lights to turn green, you will never leave the house… or in this case, never make it into the home! Right now the market in St. Maarten is a buyers market, which means in most cases buyers have more options then sellers. With this in mind, it makes sense to try and negotiate the asking price. How much can be negotiated off the asking price will vary from property to property, a good realtor will be able to guide you with presenting an offer that will not offend the sellers, but still ensure that you are getting the best deal possible. SXM
A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON REAL ESTATE WHILE MANY MARKETS
around the world have struggled to
stay above water…this tiny Caribbean destination continues to prove its resilience by offering real estate opportunities that appeal to both logic and emotion. Location, Location, Location…this basic principal of real estate investing will always hold true, however in today’s global economy, the essence of this logic has taken on a whole new meaning. Buyers today literally have the world at their fingertips, and as a result its become a fairly common site to see people purchasing property outside of their home country. Those who seek real estate globally are often times motivated by the desire to have a “home away from home,” a place to get away from the everyday routine, and gain a new perspective on life. Purchasing real estate internationally can also become appealing strictly for the return on investment, most commonly in the forms of rental income and/or resale potential. With a world of options, choosing the best location can quickly become a daunting task, especially if you start to over analyze. The decision normally becomes much easier when you discover a destination that can justify your emotion to purchase, with clear financial logic! Many people from all over the world have been able to find this magical formula on a “rock” in the Caribbean sea, known as St. Maarten. If you were to ask a number of the international buyers why they chose this 37 square mile island to be their “home away from home” you would probably hear some of the following reasons - a wide variety of real estate offerings, no restrictions against foreigners owning property, easy accessibility to the world (modern international airport), No annual real estate taxes & No Capital Gains taxes (only on Dutch side), top rated cruise harbor, extensive yachting facilities, 37 beaches, 400 restaurants, duty free shopping, casinos, and an overall amazing quality of life! You can sit around and evaluate pros and cons forever, but
Arun Jagtiani is owner and a realtor at Island Real Estate Team
at the end of the day… to realize your dream of owning a
Email: arunsxm@gmail.com; Web: www.ireteam.com
piece of paradise, you have to be willing to get your feet wet! ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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WHERE EXPLORER
In Transit A R E W O R K I N G O F T W E LV E M I C R O S T O R I E S I N C L U D E D I N M Y L AT E S T C O L L E C T I O N , “ TA L E S O F B E D S H E E T S A N D D E P A R T U R E L O U N G E S ” | by Montague Kobbé
IN-FLIGHT Forget all about miles and furlongs, this journey’s not measured in distance, although it will take you places. This journey belongs to the time of high-speed trains and super-sonic jetliners, of mega yachts and mammoth cruise ships; this journey belongs in the Age of Transit—our age—and is therefore dictated by long hours of idleness in waiting areas and departure lounges, in planes and underground carriages; long hours that inevitably spark the imagination and send the mind wandering in different directions, embarking on another, quite distinct yet parallel, journey—a journey of chance meetings and fleeting fantasies, a journey in which fact and fiction entwine, inform, complement and ultimately diffuse one another to create nothing but reality— our reality. In other words, this is the journey of life, the journey of a lifetime. 54
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We pick up the narrative in some distant metropolis, New York, maybe, maybe even Amsterdam or Paris, where someone is always, unmistakably, on their way to some place else.
IN A STATION OF THE METRO The footage on the screen shows the dark figure of a desolate man. The guard has seen him before, first noticed him twelve minutes earlier as the padded trench coat made its way down the double platform toward the end of the station. Twelve minutes later, several trains have gone past in both directions and the mysterious man still sits on the bench between the two platforms—hands on knees, head tilted to the ground, dreads falling over his face—with no apparent inclination to board any of them. The officer approaches cautiously, silently. The man doesn’t notice him until the officer’s shoes invade the perimeter of his
vision. Is everything alright? The slow rise of his head takes him through the full length of an unnecessarily bulky uniform, a modern armor of sorts fitted in equal measure with tools and symbolism designed to deter, to intimidate, to make an impression. I waitin’ for me train. Politely but questioningly the policeman inquires where are you going. Gloom invades the man’s previously blank expression. I ain’ decide, as yet.
the thin thread of shared fluids that sprung between them keeping their kiss alive for another moment, however brief. Then his lover turned away, broke all contact—also the visual one—and sealed the parting without saying a word. He was able to follow his bright red top—eyes drenched in sadness—through a labyrinth of guards and officers until he finally turned a corner, disappeared from view. Without looking back, he left him behind.
FAREWELL
DEPARTURES
Out of the selfsame train the man in dreads has not yet decided to board comes a young man in black, on his way back from the airport. He’s just left his lover at the terminal and is trying to avoid wondering whether they will ever see each other again. Florence Welch in his iPod isn’t helping. Only minutes earlier their lips refused to part even as they moved away from each other,
Ahead of the man in the bright red top and the sagging cargo trousers, on the other side of the threshold of the full body scanner, a woman pauses for a second after gathering her belongings. She looks up at the screen above her head—aquiline nose pointing at the sky, jaw forming a 135-degree angle against elongated neck, continued on page 56 ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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continued from page 55 taut muscles protruding left and right. She wears huge dark aviators, lollipop pink lipstick to match her dangling earrings and a Palestine wrapped around her neck. Once she has regained her bearings she gets going one more time, the jingling of her lollipop pink earrings setting the tune to the dramatic—hypnotic—rhythm of her unharnessed breasts. A man, middle aged, smartly dressed, bored and on the prowl sees her go by but chooses not to notice her. His attention is fixed instead on a girl standing by the till of a sandwich place. Her left leg bounces to the speedy electronic tune in her earphones. The pace set by her long limb (tightly squeezed into dark jeans) complements the chaotic flight of three locks of hair that escape the grip of her rubber band. She’s rescuing valuable coins from the sea of copper that overflows her purse until an announcement on the airport’s loudspeakers prompts her to pour the torrent of reckoned wealth back where it came from. The graceful swinging of a mysterious mermaid’s hips draws a smile in the face of the middle aged man who follows her—long, delicate, elegant—steps until a sharp left bend turns the corridor into an accomplice of her escape. Ladies and gentlemen, Dragon Wings wishes to invite passengers on flight number 369 to Sint Maarten to board through gate X, the airport loudspeakers insist, and the man on the prowl heads for the toilets. Elsewhere, at this exact same moment, a young man in black sits—arms over armrests, back pressed to backrest, buttocks placed on cushion at the edge of seat, legs spread open at 30 56
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degrees, knees neatly holding together perfectly right angles, soles flattened on the ground—and weeps in silence. So the story goes, but the story must go on.
IN-FLIGHT The plane gains speed for well over a minute before it manages to take off. The acute cry of the engines drowns the creaks and squeaks emanating from the ancient cabin. Immediately after becoming airborne the aircraft hits a pocket of turbulence and plummets down for a fraction of a second. In row 13 a withered old lady lets out a horrid, instinctive yelp. Her husband by her side comforts her with a silent touch, a caress, a gesture that acknowledges their tacit understanding. A native Saban, he’s grown used over the years to the perils of flying in and out of Juancho Yrasquin airport, the narrow lip of tarmac at the foot of a volcano that happens to be the shortest commercial airstrip in the world. These here are no volcanoes, but concealed beneath cotton clouds by the double effect of the distance (far off ahead and below), the sharp peaks of a mountain range tear through the monotonous white surface with the golden hue of the sun shining on the snow. The girl in the tight dark jeans and the rubber headband looks out the window as the mountains intermittently break the grey flat line of the clouds with their rosy heartbeat. And then, once more, grey. Time flies, quite literally, when you’re sitting on a plane. Time also stands still. It’s hard to tell which is which and what is what
when you’re being whisked past time zone after time zone. Those are the thoughts of the man sitting in row 51, in the stillness of this high-altitude flight, as he dozes off watching the darkened shadows of a dispersed colony of clouds imprint the hammered silver leaf of the Atlantic with a smooth negative of the sky’s landscape. The middle seat next to him is empty but the aisle seat is occupied by a lecherous tourist already looking for adventure. The stewardess—tired but excitable, young, plump, ginger, white—comes offering drinks. Hi, he says, perkily. It is plainly obvious, though, that what he really means, is can I be the rudder of your green-eyed, red-haired nipples. Tonight. Outside the window, the moon—bloated, waning, covered in amber—emerges from the horizon line 15,000 feet below. A cloud of dust still cuts through it twelve seconds later, as its left-to-right path along the sky puts it out of sight. The Rastaman in the station of the metro will see this very image some time later, because wherever we are we all see one and the same side of the moon. Unfortunately, the man in row 51 gets to see nothing at all anymore, for the double dose of Klonopin he took before takeoff has knocked him out for the rest of the flight.
ARRIVALS There’s something special about landing at Juliana airport— something evocative, exhilarating, magical about gliding over Maho. And yet what makes my heart skip a beat, what makes me think this might be the journey of a lifetime, lies in waiting beyond customs and immigration. It isn’t her strong calves, nor the considerable muscles of her thighs, revealed by her short shorts, nor the white (men’s) shirt, excessively long, excessively white, excessively ironed. It isn’t even the cowboy boots hugging the lower part of her firm legs, nor the high heels that make her look more svelte, that define her muscles, which lead me to dream awake of owning the breasts concealed beneath that shirt, of being the orchestrator of the sweat and the touch that would ravish so much white, so much starch. It is, rather, the glow in her long straight hair shining around her head, placing her gaze inside an intensely bright aura. Star-struck, I pause, I turn, I perve and see her throw herself, mouth, arms and legs open at various angles, at the man in the bright red top and the saggy cargo trousers. Despite each other, their lips part after ten or fifteen seconds but the joy of their reunion cannot be wiped from her face. She doesn’t discover in his longed-for kiss how close she has come to losing him, and any lingering danger of an awkward moment is defused by a mischievous porter on his way to the baggage claim area who in typically playful fashion greets them with a Welcome to S’maatin, the friendly island. Wee! Alas, it wasn’t me those sublime eyes were looking to find. They landed on mine, to be sure, but only fleetingly, in transit to their final destination. SXM
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Bon Bini:
Welcome to Curaçao A U N I Q U E G E M I N T H E C A R I B B E A N J E W E L B OX |
by Gillian Birch
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A PREVIOUS PAGE View of the Queen Emma floating pontoon bridge in Willemstad. TOP The “Curaçao” sign made of painted concrete letters is a popular attraction and photography location. ABOVE The seas off the coast are ideal for diving and sunken wrecks provide points of interest.
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ncient mariner tales recall a mysterious island in the South Caribbean where sailors suffering from scurvy were abandoned and left to die. With little more to survive on than the bitter citrus laraha fruits, the sailors “miraculously” recovered and the island became known thereafter as “Curaçao”, the Portuguese word meaning “cure”. Fast-forward 500 years or so and you’ll find modernday Curaçao is a pretty Dutch-influenced island which is quite unlike anywhere else. The pastel-colored buildings and Colonial architecture of Willemstad, the island’s capital, has earned it World Heritage recognition, yet it remains a bustling port and vibrant shopping center catering more to locals than visitors. With fascinating museums, shady outdoor cafés and flavorsome restaurants it’s no wonder that Willemstad was named one of the Top 5 Cities in the Caribbean by Condé Nast. The charming historic district and natural harbor with its landmark pontoon bridge beg to be explored at a leisurely pace, perhaps on a walking tour or trolley tour. Barter for crafts and produce at the Floating Market, just
ABOVE Built in 1703, Fort Beekenburg overlooks the sea at Caracas Bay. ABOVE The popular Grande Knip beach.
for the fun of it. You’ll be fascinated to see how the distinctive blue Curaçao liqueur is made by visiting the local factory. Those sailors of old would find the laraha fruits far more palatable in liquid form! Make time to acquaint yourself with the Maritime Museum, the 16th century architecture with its quintessential Dutch facades, the Old Fort and the interactive Sea Aquarium in this lively pint-sized capital. The interior of the 171 sq. mile island is dotted with giant cacti and country parks where former plantations (landhouses) once produced indigo, although Curaçao’s main business was salt mining and slave trading. Windswept divi-divi trees, lava landscapes and historic salt flats characterize the unique landscape, surrounded on all sides by impossibly clear blue seas. Further adventuring will reveal an island of unexpected natural beauty, with more than 35 small coves and beaches that are good for snorkeling, swimming and diving. Boasting an idyllic climate and year-round average temperatures of 79-84°F, you’ll find Curaçao makes a wonderful vacation destination in all seasons. Add some friendly polyglot locals, wonderful Europeaninfluenced cuisine and a host of watersports opportunities, and what more could you possibly wish for? SXM
THE CURAÇAO EXPERIENCE SLEEP
DISCOVER
Located
on
postcard-pretty
Curaçao’s Blaubaai
Rich in flora and fauna
including
Beach—a prime spot for
wild
snorkeling
endangered Curaçao
and
diving,
orchids
and
yet within easy reach of
white-tailed
Willemstad, is the four-star
the
Blue Bay Curaçao Golf and
National
Park
is
Beach Resort, is on the
must-see.
Hike
to
site of a former plantation.
the top of Christoffel Mountain, one of eight hiking trails. Join a guided sunrise safari
EAT
or full moon walk with a ranger. Finish your visit at the cultural
Splendid waterfront views and
deer,
Christoffel
attentive
service
museum in the restored Plantation Savonet.
make classy Belle Terrace
GET THERE
Restaurant, at the Avila
Insel Air offers 7
Hotel in Willemstad highly
round-trip flights
recommended.
to
Try the traditional keshni
each week.
St.
Maarten
yena, a baked dish of spicy chicken, tasty Dutch Gouda, raisins, olives and dates. ISSUE ONE | PATINA SXM MAGAZINE
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Island Hopping
W
A Q U A M A N I A’ S T A N G O I S N O T J U S T A B O O Z E C R U I S E |
ith so many exciting things to do on St. Maarten, you may not want to leave. However, a day trip to the island of Anguilla could be the ideal exclamation point for your Caribbean vacation. Every Tuesday, Aqua Mania Adventures offers a day sail aboard Tango, a 63’ catamaran complete with waterslide, walk-up bar, two trampolines, and plenty of shade. Guests can choose between the beautiful beaches of Cove Bay and Shoal Bay, known for white sands and crystal clear waters. Snorkelers often choose Shoal Bay for its small reef, while Cove Bay remains the most popular for people simply wanting to relax in a lounge chair and enjoy the scenery.
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by Orrett H. Wynter
If you’ve always wanted to swim with a dolphin, there’s an outing to Dolphin Discovery, the biggest natural habitat park in the Caribbean, where you can spend the morning interacting with the animals before returning to Cove Bay for lunch and swimming. Ticket prices are $100/$55USD for adults/children ages 2-12 for the Cove Bay excursion, and $125/$70USD for the trip to Shoal Bay (port fees included). Dolphin Discovery prices begin at $220/$180USD and vary based on the amount of time in the water with the dolphins. All outings include snacks and open bar aboard the Tango, lunch at the beach, and the use of beach chairs and umbrellas. SXM
and handling.
MISCELLANY ISLAND EVENTS NEVER MISS A SINGLE ISSUE Get every print issue for only $14.95* per year
MAR. 3-6, 2016 | HEINEKEN REGATTA The largest regatta in the Caribbean is celebrating its 36th staging and is expected to attract well over 200 teams and thousands of sailors to the island. The 3-day event, includes competition between different classes of boats in different types of racing. Daytime action on the water is followed by nights filled with parties and social events. heinekenregatta.com
JAN. 22-FEB. 10 | CARNAVAL DE SAINT-MARTIN The French side of the island celebrates with two-and-a-half weeks of revelry including a number of pageants, parades and concerts. Facebook: stmartincarnival MAR. 9-13 | SXMUSIC FESTIVAL The Caribbean’s first Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival brings some of the top names in EDM to Saint Martin for 5 days of concerts and parties. Confirmed acts include Adriatique, Blond:ish, DJ Francesca Lombardo and Psychemagik. sxmusicfestival.com
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APR. 14- MAY 3 | ST. MAARTEN CARNIVAL The island’s largest cultural extravaganza, the 4-decade old sees a vast range of activities including pageants, parades, band and Calypso competitions as well as international concerts, all centering around the Carnival Village in Philipsburg. sxmcarnival.tv JUN. 15-18, 2016 | SAINT MARTIN BILLFISH TOURNAMENT One of the Caribbean’s premier sport fishing tournaments, attracting competitors from all around the region. boats from all across the Caribbean region. billfish-tournament.com
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Presenting the Friendly Isle... beautifully, and with character
MISCELLANY LAST WORDS
The Big Thing
f you want to stimulate the economy, build a big freaking thing.” I’m paraphrasing political comedian Lewis Black, though he wasn’t quite as judicious in his wording. He has a point. ‘Big freaking things’ (or BFTs), in addition to being landmarks, typically cause a spike in their local economies. Paradoxically, they often have very little utility beyond the symbolic - think St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, or Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer. Others were built with a purpose Sydney’s Opera House, Egypt’s pyramids, or the Golden Gate Bridge come to mind. What they all do, however, is have the ability to attract thousands of people. They’re bucket-list worthy. Sint Maarten’s BFT is the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA). From its beginnings as a World War II airstrip, it has evolved into a state-of-the-art facility serving over a million passengers every year. It’s a hub for the entire eastern Caribbean and, more importantly, one of the most important cogs in the island’s economic machinery. It employs hundreds of people and contributes to roughly 60% of the island’s GDP by facilitating the over half a million overnight-stay tourists to St. Maarten.
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That it is a BFT in the local context isn’t up for debate. Why I consider it a BFT in a much wider sense is more intriguing. As far as transport facilities go, it’s fairly standard - it’s not the world’s largest, nor does it handle the most flights. PJIA’s BFT tag comes from the fact that its runway is short and there is a nice beach just at the end of its runway makes aircraft approach a spectator sport. For plane-spotters, it is Nirvana. In today’s hyper-vigilant world of airport security, we’re no longer allowed to be this close to airplanes - so close you can smell jet fuel, and so close you can get a jet blast. It is this proximity to the awesome power of these flying machines that’s led to a happy accident that the island has embraced. Just about every visitor to the island wants to get a shot of that moment a plane passes just above them. Any web search of St. Maarten immediately brings countless images of planes landing; much like a search for Paris inevitably brings up photos of the Eiffel Tower. One thing is certain - there is no postcard of the Eiffel Tower that will be as adrenaline-inducing, or as breathtaking, as a selfie with a 300-ton Airbus 20 ft. over your head. SXM
PHOTOGRAPHY Jaromir Chalabala
“I
F O R S I N T M A A R T E N , T H E S I G H T O F P L A N E S L A N D I N G AT P R I N C E S S J U L I A N A I N T E R N AT I O N A L A I R P O R T A R E A L A N D M A R K .
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Presenting the Friendly Isle... beautifully, and with character